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Saw the comments from Coach Bennett about the lack of production on the defensive line. He said they're not playing up to potential, etc. I also listened to the press conference on the 'net, where he said Karrington was the team's best DL at Boise, and said Desmond Jones has played well but not consistently.

What can be done to sharpen up the line? I realize that you can't make guys bigger or faster with a snap of the fingers, but have the line's struggles been a matter of technique? Effort? Concentration?

They need to come out with a fire in their gut Saturday and clog up the Rice running game. Rice's top receiver (against us last year) is out, and their QB stayed in a San Jose hospital after coughing up blood Saturday, so if we can force them to throw it, I'd think our chances of a win improve significantly.

Anyone know anything about (backup QB) Armstrong's arm? Or is he a run-only guy?

I don't think DL is our biggest problem. Linebacker is. It is okay to play small linebackers behind a big line, or big linebackers behind a small line. But, unfortunately, right now we have a DE playing tackle, our DEs are the size of OLBs, and we have two LBs the size of safeties.

They are athletic, but I am afraid we are going to give up 4 to 5 yards a carry on the FB dive and QB off tackle. Our best hope is if Rice gets greedy and tries to take the option wide a lot, our safeties and corners are solid tacklers.

This is one game where I really wouldn't mind seeing Williams/Karrington (I think Williams is better vs the run), Jones, Bonds, Adami across the line. Won't get much of a pass rush, but it may give our smaller LBs a chance out there.

I also would not be surprised to see Rico pushed outside and either Hall or Cleveland start at MLB this week. Hall specifically might be big enough to help out with the run up the middle.

I think the defensive line is playing to its potential and putting out the effort-I just don't think they are the greatest athletes in the world. Desmond Jones was just about the only one to get a second look from a major school. But I can't say they are playing below potential-didn't expect them to be a major force in the first place. Serious two of our defensive lineman are so overweight that they have lost any quickness they may possess. One looks like he has trouble breathing after walking 5 yards. Its one thing to be big-but its another think to be agile, mobile and hostile. Big don't cut it!

Stallion wrote:I just don't think they are the greatest athletes in the world. Desmond Jones was just about the only one to get a second look from a major school.

I am sure you can easily tell us how many of our players got a real second look from a major school.

JasonB wrote:I don't think DL is our biggest problem. Linebacker is. It is okay to play small linebackers behind a big line, or big linebackers behind a small line. But, unfortunately, right now we have a DE playing tackle, our DEs are the size of OLBs, and we have two LBs the size of safeties.

They are athletic, but I am afraid we are going to give up 4 to 5 yards a carry on the FB dive and QB off tackle. Our best hope is if Rice gets greedy and tries to take the option wide a lot, our safeties and corners are solid tacklers.

This is one game where I really wouldn't mind seeing Williams/Karrington (I think Williams is better vs the run), Jones, Bonds, Adami across the line. Won't get much of a pass rush, but it may give our smaller LBs a chance out there.

I also would not be surprised to see Rico pushed outside and either Hall or Cleveland start at MLB this week. Hall specifically might be big enough to help out with the run up the middle.

I don't see Rico Harris getting pushed outside for this game. Against an offense like Rice's, you need speed across the board, and while Hall has the bulk to stuff the run on inside run plays, you need a fast LB who can get from one sideline to the other. I would think Harris stays in the middle, McCray plays every snap (or close to it) on one side, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Cleveland take some snaps away from Ieremia-Stansbury on the other side, just to add his speed to the defense. When an offense gets to the perimeter as well as Rice does, you need flyers at LB, and Harris, McCray and Cleveland are the three fastest LBs we have.

Random thought: might this game be the game in which Jamar Bey makes his debut at LB? I keep thinking back to when he signed, and Coach Bennett said "Jamar is a guy who's so fast he gets there (to the ball) in a bad mood." Still one of Coach B's greatest quotes. I know Bey is raw - I don't think he played a hell of a lot of football in HS - but that speed might come in handy if he can stay within his assignments.

Against the option, you need speed in your outside linebackers. Your middle linebacker has to be a tough, bug guy to stop the dive. Rico wills truggle in the arole. McCray is fast enough, but not strong enough to play against the option. Rico has speed and the strength to play outside.

Before we get too worried about the DL we must remember that we have faced, on average, the #29th offense in the country and only one team below #38. We beat that team and almost held them without a TD.

Good point.
Thanks for pointing out that the half-empty glass also can be looked at as half-full -- methinks there are some who forget that.